Is the NHL actually making an effort to end this lockout?? It could be!

There's a new labor proposal on the table — softening its demands on individual contract rights!! The only problem with this is, even with the new "look, we're trying here guys" offer, no new negotiations have been scheduled.

All of this comes right on the heels of what the source explains as:

'[a vote] to grant authority to the NHL Players' Association executive board to dissolve the union through a "disclaimer of interest." According to the vote, the executive board has until Jan. 2 to decide whether to pursue that move, which undoubtedly would lead to players suing the NHL for antitrust violations.'

We're sure almost everyone wants to avoid that.

Here is the outline of the new proposal:

"A six-year cap on individual contract lengths and maintains the provision for a seventh year for a team re-signing its own players. Previously, they had asked for a five-year cap. Owners are asking for a 10% year-to-year variance limit on multiyear contracts, a change from their previous request for a 5% variance.

Also, owners have said they are willing to allow one buyout per team before the salary cap drops in the 2013-14 season. The money would not count against the cap but would count against the players' 50% share of revenue. This would allow some opening up of cap space for teams to sign players but could affect how much players would have taken out of their checks in escrow."

It might sound complicated, but the main point is that we're getting the feeling that the focus is shifting back to the sport and the sport's fans. There is real effort here!